The devastation wrought by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles is genuinely appalling. In such tragic times, we often see stoic endurance and selfless acts of kindness, showcasing the best virtues ordinary people have in abundance.

On the flip side, there are those who seem to exploit these tragic events as opportunities to enhance their image, tarnishing the noble actions of others.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, never ones to let a PR opportunity slip by, couldn’t resist stepping into the spotlight. Their office even issued a pre-visit notice (on official letterhead, of course) about their impending engagement with the general public.

The Duchess of Sussex took center stage, perhaps seeking to bolster the waning popularity of the Sussex brand.

Personally, I have no issue with anyone supporting the brave men and women battling this uncontrolled inferno. However, must it be done so publicly and with such fanfare?

The incredible individuals in emergency services deserve our unreserved admiration and unconditional respect. If I believed the Sussexes’ motives were genuinely sincere, I would be full of praise and admiration.

Yet, with these two, their agenda seems glaringly obvious. The press release and their orchestrated visit reveal another carefully managed display of shallow virtue signaling. It’s distasteful!

One comment among many resonated with me: “Can we please have less of these two? If I thought they were doing it from the goodness of their hearts, I would applaud them, but I feel that publicity is always their primary focus.”